Edinburgh Councillors To Blow Down 40-year-old Flats

Submitted by edg on Fri, 19 Sep '08 8.12am

Sighthill's multi-storey Broomview Court is to be demolished with explosives on Sunday 21st September between 11am and 12.30pm. City Housing Leader Councillor Paul Edie along with Broomview Court resident Ian Begg, who lived in the building for its full 40 year life, will push the plunger to ignite the fuse.

Broomview House has been stripped of fixtures and fittings, asbestos, glass, insulation, timber and doors. Many internal walls have also been removed, leaving only the building's structure.

A small amount of explosives is being placed in holes in the structure's walls in such a way that when the building is demolished it will collapse inwards safely.

There will be an extensive evacuation zone surrounding the North Sighthill area but the media are invited to a viewing platform on the Calder Road where the demolition ceremony will take place.

Unfortunately, there are no safe areas for the public to get a full view of the building due to its location, but the event will be filmed from height on the 11th floor of the nearby Hermiston Court building by BBC/STV.

The demolition is subject to weather and health and safety requirements on the day which could cause delay or postponement.